Needle guard for portable sewing machines



Sept. 28, c o NEEDLE GUARD FOR PORTABLE SEWING MACHINES Filed Feb. 23,1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 62 52 231 A10A a EsoJ 1 3 F G 22 T I 1222511 F16317 1516 v E- C. HARLES L. MOLLIS l ATTORNEYS Sept. 28, 1954 c. L.MOLLIS NEEDLE GUARD FOR PORTABLE SEWING MACHINES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledFeb. 23, 1952 INVENTOR. CHAR LES I Mol l ls ATTORNEYS Patented Sept. 28,1954 NEEDLE GUARD FOR PORTABLE SEWING MACHINES Charles L. Mollis, LosAngeles, Calif.

Application February 23, 1952, Serial No. 273,047

2 Claims. 1

An object of my invention is to provide an invisible chainstitch garmentsewing device which is an improvement over the form of the device shownin my patent, No. 2,558,873, issued July 3, 1951. In the patent I showwhat I term, a looper, for aiding in forming loops in the thread duringthe forming of the chain stitching in the cloth. Although such a looperis desirable, it is not essential and. so I omit it in the presentimproved device.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device of the typedescribed in which a needle guard is pivoted to the device and is heldopen while stitching and closes directly the guard is released. Theguard prevents pricking of ones fingers when the device is not in use,and protecting the point of the needle from damage as from a fall orfrom contact with other objects.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device of the typedescribed in which the thread carrying spool is mounted on a resilientsupport that causes the spool to frictionally contact the device and beprevented from freely rotating. The operator can increase the frictionto the desired extent and thus determine the tension exerted on thethread during the stitching operation. The device is provided with anotched thread cutter at the rear of the device.

The device is simple in construction and is durable and eflicient forthe purpose intended.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following specification,and the novel features of the device will be particularly pointed out inthe appended claims.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming a partof this application, in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the stitching device; v

Figure 2 is a side elevation of Figure 1, portions being shown insection for clarity purposes;

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the device;

Figure 4 is a front elevation;

Figure 5 is a rear elevation;

Figure 6 is a side elevation and illustrates how the guard may be swungout of the way;

Figure 7 is a top plan view of the forward end of the device andillustrates the needle guard swung into open position and the needlepiercing a temporary fold in the cloth;

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7 and shows the step of forming aloop in the thread on one side of the cloth fold and withdrawin theneedle from the other side; and

Figure 9 illustrates the loop stitches which may be formed with thedevice.

- narrow in width and it is provided with a rearwardly-extending baseportion Al that is integral with the frame, see Figures 2 and 6.

Referring to Figure 2, it will be seen that the frame A has a tubularmember 0 mounted therein and extending from the front end I of the frameto the rear end 2 thereof. The tubular member is internally threaded atits. ends as indicated at 3 and 4. A threaded plug 5 is screwed into thethreaded end 4 of the tubular member C and the plug 5 carries a flexiblejournal D that extends parallel with the axis of the tubular member C.Figures 1, 2 and 5 show the journal as comprising a flat strip of steelor other type of resilient material.

The base portion AI extends rearwardly from the rear end 2 of the frameA and this base. portion is provided with an integral projection 6 thatcooperates with the rear end 2 of the frame to provide a spool-receivingrecess 1. The flexibility of the journal D permits it to be flexed forreceiving a spool E. The spool, has a bore 8 for receiving the flexiblejournal and the free end of the journal enters the spool bore 8. Thejournal will flex for permitting the spool to be passed over theprojection 6. As soon as the spool registers with the recess 1, theflexible journal D will move it into the position shown in Figure 2 andwill cause the spool periphery 9 to frictionally engage with the surfaceI!) of the base portion Al that forms a part of the recess 7. Thisstructure causes the spool to be frictionally contacted by the surfaceII] at all times and therefore the thread ll fed from the spool will beunder continuous tension. I will explain hereinafter how this tensioncan be increased if desired.

I provide novel threading and guide means for the thread H so that thisthread will be guided to the eye [2 of a needle, indicated generally atF. In Figures 3 and 5, I show the rear portion of the base Al providedwith a medial slot l3 that extends longitudinally from the rear edge 6cof the projection 6, forwardly throughout substantially one-half thelength of the base portion Al. The slot l3 extends upwardly into theprojection 6 and the sides of the slots are flared outwardly at I3a, seeFigure 5, for providing a thread-receiving entrance recess. Furthermore,the portion of the slot l3 disposed near the bottom I4 of the base Alhas its sides flared outwardly as indicated at H1) in Figure 5. Thepurpose of this construction is to permit the thread llfromitheespoolEito.be movedintotheslot l3 readily. *Thegthread'isfiirstpassed intoithe flared slot sides 13a and is moved down through the slot13 and then forwardly to the front end of the slot.

The under side 15 of the frame Ais a .continuation of the under side Mof the base Al. The under side l5 has a thread receivinggroove l6therein, see Figure 3, and this groove ex tends from the forwardendrzcSfLthe'slot 13. En fact, the forward wall of the slot i3 .15curved as at 130, see Figure 2, so that the thread H in passing from thespool E, will move along this curved portion-f3cand enter the groove [5without any inteference or sharp turns.

It is best now to describe'the forward end of the device an'd -set forthhow a need-1e guard. indicated generally at G in Figures l'and 2,normally protects the pointed end F! of the needle. The shank I! oftheneedleis resolved in a bore l8 provided in the "forwardend -of'-theframe A, see FigureZ. A set screw H, seeFigures'I and 2, is received ina bore [9, and alsothe-end of the bore is threaded sothat the'set screwmaybe tightened down against the shank I! for holding the needle inplace. The set screw it also pases through aligned openingsflztl in thetube 0 for holding the latter against longitudinal movement in'the frame'A. It" will beseen' from this constructionthat the'needleis heldrigidly in-p'lace and yet the-needle'may ice-removed when desired. Thethread ll passes forwardly from the front end ofthe groove [6 .and-ispassed through the eye l'2 of the'needle as shown in Figure .2.

I provide the .needle'guard G forthe purpose of protectnigthe'pointedend'of the needle when he deviceis not in use. The guard is of theshapeshown in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, and it is pivotally'mounted on a pin2 I that projects forwardly from the .front "end I .of the frame A.Figure 2 shows how the pin 2| has a threaded portion '2la that isremovably received 'in "the threaded portion 3 of the tube C and in thisway the pin is anchoredito the frame A. The needle guard G has anormally"downwardly-e tending portion 22,;see"Figure 2, and'this isrotatablymounted on the ,pin "2|. The needle guard also "hasa projection'zs thatparailels the downwardly-extendingportion 22 and is spaced therefrom.The projection 23 '.is rotatably mountedon the pivot pinZl. Figure '1shows both the downwardly-extending portion 22 and the projection ;23 ofthe needle guard, and further illustrates an integral handle portion '24that normallyprojectsto .one side of the .frame A.

The lower end .of the .downwardlyeextending portion 22is bentat rightangles so .as to ,project forwardly and thenthe forwardportion isformedinto a ".U-shaped needle receiving sheath indicated-generally at25. A torsional spring -26 is mounted on the pivot pin 2 l .and hasoneend bearing against the .needleguard and its other end bearingagainst a projection 27 that extends forwardly from vthe front end I .ofthe frame A. The .torsionalspring urgestheneedle guard .into theposition shown .bYa the .full lines in Figures J 1 to =4, :inclusive,:and therefore the ..-tion shown in Figure 4.

sheath 25 will normally protect the pointed end Fl of the needle.

In Figures 4 and 6, I show how the needle guard can be swung into aposition for exposing the pointed end of the needle. The thumb B of thehand (not show) that grips the device, rests on the handle 24 and theoperator by merely depressingthe. handle 24 .bymeansof the thumb willswing the needle guard about :the pivot point 2| from the full to thedot dash line posi- If desired, the handle 24 may be moved until itcomes into contact with thesiderwal129of the frame A. The operator inusing the device keeps his thumb pressing .againstthe. handle 24 so thatthe sheath 25 will be held clear of the needle, see Figure 6. As

.soon "as the-thumb of the operator is released fromthe handle 24, thetorsional spring 26 will immediately swing the .needle guard into itsnormal position where the sheath 25 will protect the pointedend-of theneedle.

I providea thread cutter J atthe rear of-the base AI, seeFiguresl, 2, "3and '5. The cutter is'preferablymadefrom a hat piece or" metal and it isheld to the base 'by'a' screw so or other suit able fastening means.Figure 5 shows thebase as having a recess 3| for receiving the cutterand this willprevent the cutter from "moving into angular positionswith'respect'to the base. The cutter has a recess 32 that has asharpenededge for the purpose "of severing the thread in the customarymanner.

As stated in the-earlier part of this specification, the flexiblejournal'D will holdthe'rims Q of the spool'E infriotional contact-withthe surface Hl of the base Al andthereforethe spool is prevented fromrotating freely, and instead a tension is placed upon'the thread! i asit is fed from the spool due to the frictional contact of the spool withthe base Al. 'I have constructed the deviceto "permit'the tension on thespool to be increased if'desired. In Figure 6, I show how the guard G isheld in open position by the thumb B. The indexfinger,notShowngbears-against the opposite side of the frame. Thelast twofingers of the same hand, not shown, bear against the surface M of thebase AI. ii the operator wishes to increase'the tension 'on'the threadH, all he needs to'do is to move'the 'last two fingers of the handthat'holds the device, inwardly, arid this will press the periphery 9 ofthe spool'E against the palm,'not shown, of the hand. The friction onthe spool'is increased and likewise the tension on the thread i i. Sucha frictional pressure on'the spool 'can be regulated 'so that theoperator can exert the desired tension on the thread.

From theforegoing description of the'various parts of the device, theoperation may be readily understood.

The device utilizes the conventional sewing machine needle formed along*one'side with a groove for recelvinga length of the thread 1! fromwhich the stitches are formed. The stitching device is designed to forma chain stitch as in basting, felling or the'like and as shown in Figure9. In using the device, the frame A'is held in one-hand (eitherpright'or'ieft) of-the user and the guard'G is:operated-wit-h the thumbB. The loop .36,:see.Figure"8, is-formed onthe top of the needle toenable the operatorto sew from rightrtol-left as wellas'fromlleftitoright, thus making the device .usable .to .a left-handedsewer as well. as .to .a right-handed sewer.

The flexible journal D yieldingly holds the spool periphery 9 againstthe surface ill for creating a tension on the thread H as it unwindsfrom the spool. In addition, the spool E is exposed and enables theoperator to apply more friction on the spool, if and when needed, [bysimply raising the rear end of the device in Figure 6 with the aid ofthe fourth and fifth fingers. This will lift the spool E; up to touchthe palm and increase the friction on the spool to the desired extent.The spool E: is held in place with the fiat Or round spring wire D sothat it will yield when the spool is pushed on or pulled off from thedevice. When the device is not used, the needle point shielding means G,protects the needle point to prevent finger pricking or scratchingduring the handling of the device.

The device operates on a stitch making principle differing from otherdevices. These other devices may be useful to leather, canvas or saidsewers, but they are impractical to the tailor and the seamstress forwhom the present device is designed. In Figure '7, I indicate the firststep of the stitching method which is to force the needle F into thecloth K and then out from the cloth to form a stitch of the desiredlength, the cloth forming a temporary fold Kl during this movement. Theoperator then starts to withdraw the needle F from the temporary garmentfold KI, as shown in Figure 8, and during this movement, the thumb ofthe free hand is used for pressing the loop 36 down upon the cloth toprevent the loop from being retracted through the cloth during thewithdrawal of the needle.

The device is now moved so that the needle F will enter the loop 35formed by the thread II, and the thumb that holds the loop may have theportion pressing against the loop, rocked back slightly to give spacefor the needle to enter the loop. The needle in entering the loop isforced through the cloth again to form the next stitch, a secondtemporary fold Kl being formed to permit the second stitch to be made.

The method is repeated for each stitch. The folds KI will remain in thecloth only as long as they are necessary in forming the stitches. InFigure 9, the temporary folds KI have disappeared from the cloth and onecomplete chain stitch has been indicated. The loop 36 is still shownloose for the purpose of clarity. In actual practice, the chain stitchwill be pulled tight and the loop 36 will be contracted to a point wherea single line of stitching will result. The length of the stitching canbe determined by the distance between the temporary folds Kl. It

will be clear that the stitching can extend in After the desired lengthof stitching has been completed, the device is reversed and the threadcutting end is moved for causing the thread cutter J to receive the loopin the recess 32. Further movement of the cutter J will sever the threadat the loop. The loop 36 is held by the thumb during the cuttingoperation.

I claim:

1. In a portable stitching device, a frame, a needle projecting from oneend of said frame and affixed to said frame, a pin fixed to said frameand extending parallel to said needle, said pin being positioned abovesaid needle, a needle guard having a downwardly extending portionpivotally mounted on said pin, said guard having a projecting memberparallel with said portion, said projecting member being spaced fromsaid portion and pivotally mounted on said pin, the lower end of thedownwardly extending portion being bent to extent parallel to saidneedle and having a forward portion formed into a V- shaped needlereceiving sheath normally receiving said needle and projecting outwardlyof said one end of said frame beyond the pointed end of said needle, ahandle connected to said guard and projecting outwardly of said frame, aspring connected to said guard and said frame and urging said sheath tonormally receive said needle, said handle being operable to uncover saidneedle.

2. In a portable stitching device, a frame, a needle fixedly connectedto said frame and projecting from one end thereof, said needle having apointed end positioned outwardly of said frame, a pin connected to saidframe and extending parallel to said needle, a needle guard pivotallymounted on said pin and pivotal about an axis parallel to said needle,said guard having a portion extending downwardly from said pin, thelower end of the downwardly extending portion being bent to extendparallel to said needle and having a forward portion formed into aV-shaped needle receiving sheath normally receiving said needle andprojecting outwardly of said frame beyond the pointed end of saidneedle, a handle connected to said guard and projecting outwardly ofsaid frame laterally of said pin, a spring connected to said guard andsaid frame and urging said sheath to normally receive said needle, saidhandle being operable to rotate said guard on said pin therebyuncovering said needle point.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 891,201 Blossfeld June 16, 1908 893,206 Stewart July 14, 19081,407,114 Bailey Feb. 21, 1922 1,410,413 Seaman Mar. 21, 1922 1,580,005Bray Apr. 6, 1926

